Device and method for continuous mixing of at least two components

ABSTRACT

A device for continuous mixing of at least two components, such as liquids and/or powders. The device comprises first elements for joining the components in layers, and second elements for discharging the joined components during simultaneous deformation of a layer structure obtained in the joining, to provide a homogeneous mixture of components. The first elements include a layering element and a receiving element rotatable about a longitudinal axis and having a receiving surface which faces the layering element and is arranged radially outside the same. The layering element is adapted to alternately dispose the components to be mixed in the form of thin layers on the receiving surface to form a stratum of layer structure, and the receiving element is during rotation adapted to support the stratum. The present invention also relates to a method for continuous mixing of at least two components.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the national stage under 35 U.S.C. §371 ofinternational application PCT/SE99/02385, filed Dec. 16, 1999 whichdesignated the United States, and which application was published in theEnglish language.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device and a method for mixingcomponents, more specifically a device for continuous mixing of at leasttwo components, such as liquids and/or powders, comprising a first meansfor joining the components in layers, and a second means for dischargingthe joined components during simultaneous deformation of a layerstructure, obtained in the joining, to provide a homogeneous mixture ofcomponents, as well as a corresponding method for continuous mixing ofat least two components.

BACKGROUND ART

The most common method of mixing components, such as liquids and/orpowders, is to join the components in a vessel and agitate them. Thismethod, however, is not suited for continuous mixing, and moreover themixing will be random, thereby making it impossible to ensure ahomogeneous mixture of components. The result will be largely dependenton the disposition of the components towards mixing.

According to another method, separate partial flows of components arejoined to form a common flow, which is then subjected to turbulence.This method certainly admits continuous mixing, but also in this casethe mixing will be random and dependent on the disposition of thecomponents towards mixing.

With a view to solving these problems, a method has been developed,which allows continuous and satisfactory mixing of components, and alsomixing of components which are not disposed to be mixed. According tothis method, the components are joined in layers, and the thus-joinedcomponents are then conveyed during deformation of the layer structureobtained in connection with the joining. As a result, a continuous andhomogeneous mixture of components can be obtained.

DE 41 28 999 discloses a device which uses the latter method. The deviceallows mixing of two components and comprises two annular, narrow ducts,one for each component. The ducts are arranged opposite each other andjoin each other in a narrow gap. The components are supplied through aduct each, at a relatively high pressure, and are joined in the form ofannular layers in the gap, from where the thus-joined components areconducted through one more duct. While flowing in the latter duct, thelayer structure obtained in joining is deformed, and a homogeneousmixture of components is obtained. The device allows continuous mixingof components which are not disposed to be mixed, such as oil and water,the oil being supplied at higher pressure than the water to form adispersion.

However, the device suffers from a number of drawbacks. First, thedevice does not allow mixing of more than two components. Moreover, thedevice will not allow mixing of anything but liquid components.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention therefore is to provide a devicewhich allows continuous mixing of two or more components, whichcomponents can be liquids and/or powders. Liquids are intended tocomprise also thixotropic and other viscous materials.

A second object of the invention is to provide a method for continuousmixing of two and more components, such as liquids and/or powder.Liquids are again intended to comprise also thixotropic and otherviscous materials.

According to the invention, the first object is achieved by a device forcontinuous mixing.

According to the invention, the second object is achieved by a methodfor mixing at least two components.

More specifically, the invention provides a device for continuous mixingof at least two components, such as liquids and/or powders, comprising afirst means for joining the components in layers, and a second means fordischarging the joined components during simultaneous deformation of alayer structure, obtained in the joining, to provide a homogeneousmixture of components, said device being characterised in that the firstmeans comprises a layering means and a receiving means rotatable about alongitudinal axis and having a receiving surface facing the layeringmeans and being arranged radially outwardly of the layering means, thelayering means being adapted to alternately dispose the components inthe form of thin layers on the receiving surface to form a stratum oflayer structure, and the receiving means, while rotating, being adaptedto support said stratum.

The mixing ratio of the components is already determined when joiningthe components, and thus the mixing ratio is very easy to control bycontrolling each flow of components to the layering means.

Furthermore, the number of components is not restricted to two, nor itis necessary for the components to be liquid.

By varying the longitudinal extension of the layers of components, i.e.by varying the angular velocity of the receiving means relative to thelayering means, the mixing intensity may be varied. A high relativeangular velocity between the layering means and the receiving meansresults in a high mixing intensity, which allows mixing of componentswhich are not disposed to be mixed. This allows, for example, continuousmixing of thixotropic components, such as soft whey-cheese and ordinarysoft cheese, which are not disposed to be mixed.

Moreover, continuous mixing of components in various phases is allowed,thereby allowing, for example, mixing of one component in liquid formand one component in pulverulent form.

Said second means acts as stated above to discharge the joinedcomponents during simultaneous deformation of the layer structureobtained in joining. A method of achieving this is to let the secondmeans mechanically engage with the layer structure for advancing and forperforming a creasing thereof. The second means can also be arranged toconduct the layer structure in a duct while flowing turbulently, whichalso results in creasing of the layer structure, thus ensuring ahomogeneous mixture of components.

The layering means can be rotatable about said longitudinal axis, andpreferably the layering means is rotatable with a first angular velocityand the receiving means is rotatable with a second angular velocitydiffering from the first angular velocity. Moreover, the layering meansis advantageously rotatable in a direction of rotation which is oppositeto the direction of rotation in which the receiving means is rotatable.This makes it possible to reach a high relative angular velocity betweenthe layering means and the receiving means, which thus allows mixing ofcomponents which are not disposed to be mixed.

Preferably, the layering means is rotatable with an angular velocity inthe range 30-85 rad/s, and the receiving means is rotatable with anangular velocity in the range 30-85 rad/s.

The layering means may comprise a nozzle for each of the components,each nozzle being adapted to dispose thin layers of the componentsupplied thereto on the receiving surface.

The layering means can alternatively comprise a blade means which isrotatable about said longitudinal axis and which during rotation thereofis adapted to engage with the components supplied thereto andsubsequently throw them away to dispose thin layers of the components onthe receiving surface.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, thereceiving means is adapted to transfer the stratum to the second means,and more specifically the receiving means may comprise a body having aconical interior circumferential surface which is concentricallyarranged about the longitudinal axis and which thus encloses thelayering means and forms said receiving surface, the receiving means,during rotation thereof and under the action of centrifugal forces,being adapted to conduct said stratum towards the wider end of theconical receiving surface, at which end the stratum will be transferredto the second means.

In operation of a thus designed device in which the wider end of thereceiving surface is directed downwards, joining of liquid components isallowed. The rotation of the receiving means thus causes centrifugalforces which support the stratum, formed of the components, on thereceiving surface and at the same time ensure that the stratum iscontinuously conducted towards the wider end of the receiving surface tobe transferred to the second means. One or more components can also bepulverulent.

Preferably, the second means comprises a helical duct which encloses thereceiving means and has a side open towards the receiving means, wherebythe stratum continuously transferred from the receiving means will becollected by said duct. The second means may further comprise in unisonwith the receiving means rotatable discharge means, and the duct maycomprise an outlet connected thereto, the discharge means being adaptedto convey to the outlet the stratum transferred to the duct duringdeformation of its layer structure. Preferably each discharge meanscomprises a vane which is fixed in the receiving means and displaceablein the duct and which during rotation of the receiving means engageswith the stratum transferred to the duct and conveys it during creasingthereof towards the outlet.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the inventive device, thesecond means comprises a scraper element for scraping off the stratumfrom the receiving surface, and the receiving means is adapted totransfer, during rotation, the thus-scraped off stratum to a dischargeunit of the second means.

Preferably the receiving means comprises a body having a cylindrical,interior circumferential surface which is concentrically arranged aboutthe longitudinal axis and which thus encloses the layering means andforms said receiving surface, and the scraper element is arranged alongthe receiving surface to scrape off the stratum, said deformation of thestratum being performed during said scraping off.

This allows mixing of pulverulent components, the stratum formed of thecomponents being supported on the receiving surface owing to thecentrifugal forces acting on the stratum by means of the rotation of thereceiving means.

The scraper element preferably comprises a helical band element which isextended parallel with the longitudinal axis and which is arranged alongthe cylindrical receiving surface, the band element being rotatable witha third angular velocity differing from said second angular velocity,whereby the stratum formed on the receiving surface, during rotation ofthe receiving means as well as the band element, is continuouslyconveyed to a discharge position, from which the stratum will betransferred to the discharge unit of the second means.

Moreover, the present invention provides a method for mixing at leasttwo components, comprising the steps of joining the components inlayers, and subsequently conveying the thus-joined components in suchmanner that a layer structure obtained in the joining is deformed toform a homogeneous mixture of components, said method beingcharacterised in that the step of joining the components comprises thesteps of alternately disposing, with the aid of a layering means, thinlayers of the components on a receiving means radially enclosing thelayering means to form a stratum of layer structure, and by rotation ofthe receiving means supporting the stratum, the layers in thecircumferential direction being disposed uniformly on the receivingmeans in consequence of its rotation.

Preferably the receiving means is rotated with a first angular velocityand the layering means is rotated with an angular velocity differingfrom the angular velocity of the receiving means, whereby the layeringmeans engages with components supplied thereto and throws them in theform of thin layers to the receiving means.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now for the purpose ofexemplification be described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device along line 2—2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a deviceaccording to the present invention.

-   -   FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device along line 4—4 in        FIG. 3.    -   FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device along line 5—5 in        FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to which reference is made, forcontinuous mixing according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a housing 1, in which a first means for joiningcomponents in layers and a second means for discharging the joinedcomponents during simultaneous deformation of a layer structure obtainedin the joining are arranged. The first means comprises more specificallya layering means and a receiving means which are concentrically arrangedin the housing 1. The second means comprises a helical duct 6 and vanemeans 18.

The housing 1 comprises an upper housing portion 2 and a lower housingportion 3. The upper housing portion 2 is open at both ends and has alower flange 4. The lower housing portion 3 is also open at both endsand has an upper flange 5. The flanges 4, 5 abut each other and form thehelical duct 6. An outlet pipe 7 shown in FIG. 2 is tangentiallyconnected to the duct 6.

The layering means comprises a layering rotor 8 arranged concentricallyin the housing 1 and having a hub 9, which supports four blades 10arranged perpendicularly to each other. The hub 9 is attached to a firstend of a first drive shaft 12 which extends along a central longitudinalaxis 13 of the housing 1. A first pulley 14 is fixed to the second endof the first drive shaft 12.

The receiving means comprises a receiving rotor 15 arrangedconcentrically in the housing 1 and having an essentially planar lowerpart 16 and a conical upper part 17, the wider end 11 of the upper part17 being directed downwards. The upper part 17 is supported by the lowerpart 16 with the aid of the vane means 18 to form an annular gap 19between the two parts 16, 17. The lower part 16 is fixed to a first endof a second drive shaft 20 which is hollow and extends outside the firstdrive shaft 12 along the longitudinal axis 13. The second end of thesecond drive shaft 20 supports a second pulley 21. The lower part 16 andthe second pulley 21 are mounted in bearings in the first drive shaft12.

The two pulleys 14, 21 are, via belts (not shown), connected to drivemeans (not shown).

The receiving rotor 15 is arranged in the housing 1 in such manner thata conical interior circumferential surface 22 of the receiving rotor 15radially encloses the layering rotor 8.

Thus the two rotors 8, 15 are mutually concentric and rotatable relativeto each other by means of the first and the second drive shaft 12, 20,respectively.

Furthermore, the second drive shaft 20 is mounted in bearings in thehousing 1. Finally a cover 23 with supply openings 24, 25 is mounted inthe upper side of the upper housing portion 2.

In operation of the device, the layering rotor 8 and the receiving rotor15 are driven with the aid of the drive means (not shown). The rotors 8,15 are rotated with different angular velocities ω₁ and ω₂,respectively, and preferably in different directions of rotation P₁ andP₂, respectively. An example of merely exemplifying angular velocitiesω₁ and ω₂ is 30-85 rad/s for each rotor 8, 15. However, it will beappreciated that the angular velocities ω₁ and ω₂ must be adjusted tothe components to be mixed, which means that certain components mayrequire both lower and higher angular velocities.

The components to be mixed are supplied to the device through the supplyopenings 24, 25. Suitably liquid components are supplied through thenarrower supply openings 24 and pulverulent components, if any, aresupplied through the wider supply opening 25.

The components are conducted to a space 26 which is defined in thehousing 1 and in which the blades 10 of the layering rotor 8 arearranged. During rotation, the blades 10 will thus engage with thesupplied components and throw thin layers of each component tangentiallyforwards (seen perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the layeringrotor). The thin layers will be collected by and disposed on theinterior circumferential surface 22 of the receiving rotor 15. Thelayers will be disposed essentially alternately and thus form a stratumof layer structure.

The stratum is supported by the receiving rotor 15 owing to itsrotation. Moreover, the conical design of the circumferential surface 22implies that the centrifugal forces acting on the stratum continuouslyconduct the stratum towards the wider end 11 of the circumferentialsurface 22. As the stratum reaches this end 11, it will be thrown awaythrough the annular gap 19 and collected by the helical duct 6.

The vane means 18 are arranged in the helical duct 6 and rotate inunison with the receiving rotor 15. The vane means 18 will thus travelin the same duct 6 and engage with the stratum arranged in the duct 6.The stratum is conveyed by the vane means 18, during simultaneousdeformation or creasing thereof, to the outlet 7. When the stratumfinally reaches the outlet 7, the stratum is consequently worked in suchmanner that a homogeneous mixture of components has been provided. Thesecond means, i.e. the duct 6 and the vane means 18, thus serves todischarge the stratum having a layer structure while creasing the sameby mechanical engagement.

If any of the components is a pulverulent component, it is supplied, asdescribed above, through the wider supply opening 25. The supply opening25 is arranged essentially centrally in the cover 23. This ensures thatthe blades 10 of the layering rotor 8 first dispose layers of liquidcomponents, which consequently are supplied through the smaller andradially externally arranged supply openings 24, and subsequentlydispose layers of the pulverulent component on the circumferentialsurface 22. This results in wetting of the circumferential surface 22,which facilitates the disposing of powder layers.

It will be appreciated that the directions of rotation P₁, P₂ of therotors 8, 15 need not necessarily be opposed. The essential thing isthat the requisite relative angular velocity between the rotors 8, 15 isachieved, the requisite relative angular velocity being dependent on thedesired mixing intensity. A high relative angular velocity results inthe layers being extended in the longitudinal direction, which resultsin a high mixing intensity.

Thanks to the relative angular velocity between the rotors 8, 15 thelayers of components will be disposed uniformly in the circumferentialdirection on the interior circumferential surface 22 of the receivingrotor 15, even if differences in intensity in the angular directionshould arise in the flow of components from the layering rotor 8.

FIGS. 3-5, to which reference is made, illustrate a device forcontinuous mixing according to a second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

The device comprises a housing 101, in which a first means for joiningcomponents in layers and a second means for discharging the joinedcomponents during simultaneous deformation of a layer structure obtainedin the joining are arranged. The first means comprises more specificallya layering means and a receiving means. The second means comprises ascraper element in the form of a band element 129. The housing 101 alsoconstitutes part of the second means. The housing 101 has supplyopenings 125 and an outlet 107, and the layering means and the receivingmeans are concentrically arranged about a longitudinal axis 113 in saidhousing 101.

The layering means comprises a layering rotor 108 with two blades 110which are attached to opposite sides of a first end of a first driveshaft 112, which extends along the longitudinal axis 113 and out throughthe upper side 127 of the housing 101. The second end of the drive shaft112 is via a driving assembly (not shown) connected to a drive means(not shown).

The receiving means comprises a receiving rotor 115 formed of acylindrical part 117 which is supported by a first bottom disc 131. Thecylindrical part 117 has an interior circumferential surface 122 whichradially encloses the blades 110 of the layering rotor 108. Thecylindrical part 117 further has circumferentially distributed openings119 in an area in the vicinity of the bottom disc 131, which is clearlyto be seen in FIG. 5. The bottom disc 131 is attached to a first end ofa second hollow drive shaft 120, which is arranged concentrically withthe longitudinal axis 113 and is externally mounted in bearings in abearing part 133 in the underside 128 of the housing 101. The seconddrive shaft 120 extends through the underside 128 of the housing 101,and its second end is via a driving assembly (not shown) connected to adrive means (not shown).

The helical band element 129 extended parallel with the longitudinalaxis 113 is arranged along the interior circumferential surface 122 ofthe cylindrical part 117. The band element 129 is supported by struts130 which in turn are fixed to a second bottom disc 116 which isattached to a first end of a third drive shaft 132 which extends insidethe second drive shaft 120 along the longitudinal axis 113. The thirddrive shaft 132 is externally mounted in bearings in the second driveshaft 120, and its second end is via a driving assembly (not shown)connected to a drive means (not shown).

The layering rotor 108, the receiving rotor 115 and the band element 129are thus concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis 113 androtatable relative to each other. Preferably, the layering rotor 108 isrotatable in a first direction of rotation P₁₀₁ while the receivingrotor 115 and the band element 129 are rotatable in a second directionof rotation P₁₀₂. Moreover the band element 129 is rotatable with anangular velocity ω₁₀₃ differing from the angular velocity ω₁₀₂ of thereceiving rotor 115.

In operation of the device, the layering rotor 108 is thus rotated in afirst direction of rotation P₁₀₁ with a first angular velocity ω₁₀₁while the receiving rotor 115 and the band element 129 are rotated in asecond direction of rotation P₁₀₂ with a second and a third angularvelocity ω₁₀₂, ω₁₀₃, respectively.

Components, for example in pulverulent form, are supplied to the devicevia the supply openings 125, the blades 110 engaging with thepulverulent components and alternately disposing layers of the differentcomponents on the circumferential surface 122 of the cylindrical part117. As a result, a stratum of layer structure forms on saidcircumferential surface 122. Thanks to the relative rotation between thecylindrical part 117 and the band element 129, the stratum will bescraped off from the circumferential surface 122 and conveyed to thearea of the cylindrical part 117 with openings 119. During thisconveyance, the layer structure of the stratum will be deformed orcreased to obtain a homogeneous mixture of components. As the stratumreaches the openings 119, it will be thrown away tangentially forwardsunder the action of centrifugal forces. The stratum will then becollected by the housing 101 and conducted to the outlet 107, possiblywhile being continuously deformed or creased.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted tothe embodiments illustrated.

For instance, the band element can be replaced by some other scraperelement. The important thing is that the stratum formed on thecircumferential surfaces is transferred to the housing and its outlet.

The second means for discharging the joined components duringsimultaneous deformation of the layer structure obtained in the joiningoperates by acting mechanically on said layer structure, said secondmeans being described above with reference to the shown embodiments. Thevane means 18 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the band element 129 in FIGS. 3 and 4thus engage with the layer structure and advance the same duringsimultaneous creasing. However, it will be appreciated that saidadvancing during simultaneous deformation can be carried out in othermanners. For instance, the second means can be arranged to conduct thejoined components in a duct while flowing turbulently. Also in thiscase, the layer structure will be creased, thus obtaining a homogeneousmixture of components.

Moreover, it is possible to replace the layering rotor of the firstmeans with nozzles, which are adapted to dispose a layer of componentseach on the receiving rotor. The nozzles can either be stationary orrotatable.

It is also possible to turn the receiving rotor described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2 in such manner that the wider end is directed upwards.The stratum applied to the receiving surface of the receiving rotor willin any case be conveyed to the wider end because of is the centrifugalforces acting on the stratum.

It will finally be appreciated that the number of blades of the layeringrotor may vary. The number of layers of components that are disposed onthe receiving means per revolution of the layering rotor is partly afunction of the number of blades. Thus, the mixing intensity may beaffected by varying the number of blades of the layering rotor.

The embodiments illustrated can consequently be modified and changedwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined only by theappended claims.

1. A device for continuous mixing of at least two components, such asliquids and/or powders, comprising a first means (8, 15; 108, 115) forjoining the components in layers, and a second means (6, 18; 101, 129)for discharging the joined components during simultaneous deformation ofa layer structure, obtained in the joining, to provide a homogeneousmixture of components, wherein the first means (8, 15; 108, 115)comprises a layering means (8; 108) and a receiving means (15; 115)rotatable about a longitudinal axis (13; 113) and having a receivingsurface (22; 122) facing the layering means (8; 108) and arrangedradially outwardly of the same, the layering means (8; 108) beingadapted to alternately dispose the components in the form of thin layerson the receiving surface (22; 122) to form a stratum of layer structure,and the receiving means (15; 115), while rotating, being adapted tosupport said stratum.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelayering means (8; 108) is also rotatable about said longitudinal axis(13; 113).
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layering means(8; 108) is rotatable in a direction of rotation (P₁; P₁₀₁) which isopposite to the direction of rotation (P₂; P₁₀₂) in which the receivingmeans (15; 115) is rotatable.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe layering means (8; 108) is rotatable with a first angular velocity(ω₁; ω₁₀₁), and the receiving means (15; 115) is rotatable with a secondangular velocity (ω₂, ω₁₀₂) differing from the first angular velocity((ω₁, ω₁₀₁).
 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the firstangular velocity (ω₁; ω₁₀₁) is in the range 30-85 rad/s.
 6. A device asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the second angular velocity (ω₂, ω₁₀₂) is inthe range 30-85 rad/s.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein thelayering means (8; 108) comprises a blade means (10; 110) which isrotatable about said longitudinal axis (13; 113) and which duringrotation is adapted to engage with the components supplied thereto andsubsequently throw them away to dispose thin layers of the components onthe receiving surface (22; 122).
 8. A device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the layering means comprises a nozzle for each of thecomponents, each nozzle being adapted to dispose thin layers of thecomponent supplied thereto on the receiving surface (22; 122).
 9. Adevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving means (15) isadapted to transfer the stratum to the second means (6, 18).
 10. Adevice as claimed in claim 9, wherein the receiving means (15) comprisesa body (17) having a conical interior circumferential surface (22)arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis (13) and thusenclosing the layering means (8) and forming said receiving surface(22), the receiving means (15), during rotation and under the action ofcentrifugal forces, being adapted to convey said stratum towards thewider end (11) of the conical receiving surface (22), at which end (11)the stratum will be transferred to the second means (6, 18) inconsequence of the rotation of the receiving means (15).
 11. A device asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the second means (6, 18) comprises ahelical duct (6) which encloses the receiving means (15) and has a sideopen towards the receiving means (15), whereby the stratum continuouslytransferred from the receiving means (15) will be collected by said duct(6).
 12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second means (6,18) comprises in unison with the receiving means (15) rotatabledischarge means (18), and that the duct (16) comprises an outletconnected thereto, the discharge means (18) being adapted to convey tothe outlet (7) the stratum transferred to the duct (6) duringdeformation of its layer structure.
 13. A device as claimed in claim 12,wherein each discharge means (18) comprises a vane (18) which isattached to the receiving means (15) and displaceable in the duct (6)and which during rotation of the receiving means (15) engages with thestratum transferred to the duct (6) and conveys it during simultaneouscreasing thereof towards the outlet (7).
 14. A device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the second means (101, 129) comprises a scraper element(129) for scraping off the stratum from the receiving surface (122), andthat the receiving means (115) is adapted to transfer, during rotationthereof, the thus scraped-off stratum to a discharge unit (101) of thesecond means (101, 129).
 15. A device as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe receiving means (115) comprises a body (117) having a cylindricalinterior circumferential surface (122) which is concentrically arrangedabout the longitudinal axis (113) and which thus encloses the layeringmeans (108) and forms said receiving surface (122), and that the scraperelement (129) is arranged along the receiving surface (122) for scrapingoff the stratum from the receiving surface (122), said deformation ofthe stratum being provided during said scraping off.
 16. A device asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the scraper element (129) comprises ahelical band element (129) which is extended parallel with thelongitudinal axis (113) and which is arranged along the cylindricalreceiving surface (122), the receiving means (115) being rotatable witha second angular velocity and the band element (129) being rotatableabout the longitudinal axis (113) with a third angular velocity (ω₁₀₃)differing from said second angular velocity (ω₁₀₂), whereby the stratumformed on the receiving surface (122), during rotation of the receivingmeans (122) as well as the band element (129), is continuously conveyedto a discharge position (119) from which the stratum will be transferredto the discharge unit (101) of the second means (101, 129).
 17. A methodfor mixing at least two components, comprising the steps of joining thecomponents in layers, and subsequently conveying the thus-joinedcomponents in such a manner that a layer structure obtained inconnection with the joining is deformed to form a homogeneous mixture ofcomponents, wherein the step of joining the components comprises thesteps of alternately disposing, with the aid of a layering means (8;108), thin layers of the components on a receiving means (15; 115)radially enclosing the layering means (8; 108) to form a stratum oflayer structure, and by rotation of the receiving means (15; 115)supporting the stratum, the layers in the circumferential directionbeing distributed uniformly on the receiving means (15; 115) inconsequence of its rotation.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 17,wherein the steps of rotating the layering means (8; 108) with a firstangular velocity (ω₁; ω₁₀₁), and rotating the receiving means (15; 115)with an angular velocity (ω₂; ω₁₀₂) differing from the angular velocity(ω₁; ω₁₀₁) of the layering means (8; 108), whereby the layering means(8; 108) engages with said components supplied thereto and throws themin the form of thin layers to the receiving means (15; 115).